Visa and Mastercard non-bank ATM surcharge settlement

What happened?

Visa and Mastercard agreed to pay $167.5 million to settle claims that their network rules led to higher fees at independent, non-bank ATMs. People charged a fee at one of those ATMs between October 24, 2007 and August 14, 2026, and not fully repaid by their bank, can claim a share. Both companies deny any wrongdoing.

The lawsuit says Visa and Mastercard rules stopped independent ATM owners from charging lower fees when a withdrawal could run on a cheaper network, so cardholders paid more than they should have. Visa and Mastercard deny this, and the court has not decided who is right. They settled to avoid the cost and risk of a trial.

You are covered if you were charged a fee at an independent ATM in the United States or its territories between October 24, 2007 and August 14, 2026, took cash from a deposit account with an ATM or PIN debit card, and were not fully reimbursed by your bank. Credit card, cash advance and prepaid card transactions are not covered. People in California, Illinois, Massachusetts and Michigan may also belong to a statewide class.

Visa is paying $88,775,000 and Mastercard $78,725,000 into a $167.5 million fund. Lawyers' fees (class counsel will ask for up to 30% of the fund), costs, taxes, up to $3 million for notice and administration, and awards to the class representatives come out first. The rest is split among valid claims based on how many fee-charged withdrawals each one lists, so the final amount can't be known until claims are counted. Payments go out digitally, such as PayPal or a virtual debit card, or by paper check on request, and only after the court gives final approval and any appeals end.

File the claim form on the official settlement website, or mail it postmarked by February 10, 2027. The form asks for your contact details and an estimate of how many times you paid this kind of fee, and you sign it under penalty of perjury. You do not need documents to file, but the administrator can ask for bank statements or other proof later. To opt out or object, act by December 11, 2026. The court's final approval hearing is set for February 17, 2027 at 4:00 p.m., though it can be moved.

How much is Visa and Mastercard paying and what can I get?

A pro rata share of the net settlement fund, based on how many fee-charged ATM withdrawals you claim. The final amount can't be known until all valid claims are counted and fees and costs come out.

The total settlement fund is $167,500,000. The final amount per person depends on how many valid claims are filed.

Am I eligible to file a claim?

People charged an unreimbursed fee at a non-bank ATM between October 24, 2007 and August 14, 2026. That means anyone in the United States who paid a surcharge (also called an access fee) to take cash from a deposit account with an ATM or PIN debit card at an independent ATM in the United States or its territories, and whose bank did not fully pay the fee back. An independent ATM is one not owned by a bank or other financial institution, such as a stand-alone machine in a store, bar or gas station. Credit card, cash advance and prepaid card transactions do not count. People in California, Illinois, Massachusetts and Michigan may also be in separate statewide classes.